[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] The introduction of an eco-friendly transportation system, the 'tram (streetcar),' is set to be actively promoted in Songdo International City within the Incheon Free Economic Zone.
On the 14th, Incheon City announced that it has commenced a service study for the introduction of the Songdo Tram. This study aims to establish a project implementation plan for the Songdo Tram, which was ranked third in investment priority in the 'Incheon Urban Rail Network Construction Plan (Amendment)' approved by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in January this year.
The Songdo Tram project involves constructing an eco-friendly, high-quality tram line to enhance transportation convenience for residents of Songdo International City and to expand urban rail services linked with the Seoul Metropolitan Area Express Railway Line B (GTX-B).
The tram will operate in a loop connecting Songdo Dalbit Festival Park Station (Incheon Line 1) ? Incheon National University Station ? Yonsei University ? Knowledge Information Industry Complex Station ? back to Songdo Dalbit Festival Park Station, covering a total length of 23.06 km, with 30 stations and one vehicle depot to be newly established.
The total project cost is 442.9 billion KRW, of which 265.7 billion KRW will be supported by national funds. The target opening year is 2032.
The city is focusing on ensuring that the Songdo Tram project is included in the preliminary feasibility study by the Ministry of Economy and Finance in the second half of this year and plans to complete the service study by March next year.
Previously, in a 2019 service study, the cost-benefit (B/C) ratio of the Songdo Tram was 1.14, exceeding the project implementation criterion of 1.0.
An Incheon city official stated, "The establishment of the Songdo Tram will not only improve the living conditions in Songdo International City but also contribute to its leap as a global business hub by expanding foreign investment attraction."
Meanwhile, Incheon City is promoting five tram lines totaling 87.79 km in length, including the Bupyeong Station?Yeonan Port Line (18.72 km), the Juan Station?Incheon National University Station Line (14.73 km), the Airport New Town?Yeongjong Sky City Line (10.95 km), and the Jemulpo Station?Yeonan Port Line (6.99 km), alongside the Songdo Tram.
Among these, the service study for establishing a commercialization plan for the Bupyeong Yeonan Port Line began in November last year and is expected to be completed within this year.
The Bupyeong Yeonan Port Line is an 18.72 km tram connecting the old downtown areas, including Gyeongin Line Bupyeong Station ? former U.S. military base Camp Market ? Incheon Gajwa Station (Incheon Line 2) ? Dohwa Urban Development Zone ? Yeonan Port, with a total project cost of 393.5 billion KRW, constructing 27 stations and one vehicle depot.
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